posted June 17, 2008 at 14:06 in MLB Betting Trends

BetUS online baseball betting fans looking to make some MLB bankroll-increasing wagers as the 2008 regular season moves further toward its mid-season point, may want to take a long, hard look at the Houston Astros, (33-37, 38-32 RL) – and wager against them when the opportunity presents itself as the ballclub is in the midst of some immense struggles, having dropped five straight games in the BetUS Sportsbook, including a three-game sweep at the hands of the New York Mets that ended with Sunday’s 13-0 shellacking, while also losing 14 of their last 17 games overall.

After a day off on Monday, the Astros will take their act on the road for an interleague sports betting matchup with the surprising Baltimore Orioles, (34-34, 37-31 RL), winners of two of their last three contests, though they lost their last outing, 5-4 to the Pittsburgh Pirates in extra innings.

While the Orioles have overachieved all season long and come into this contest with a .500 record, the same can’t be said for the Astros as they have underachieved all season long despite having several quality veterans on its roster.

"I was totally embarrassed by this, and we're not going to settle for it any more - won't happen again," Astros manager Cecil Cooper told the team's official Web site after a closed-door meeting with his players.

"It's simple. Today we didn't play hard, we didn't even show up … didn't even compete … total embarrassment. Forty thousand people, and we don't even show up. It won't happen again."

Baltimore has won eight of its last 13 games overall and will turn to left-hander Greg Olson, (5-2, 4.53 ERA) to lead them to victory tonight.

Olson was rocked in his last start, allowing a season-high, six runs in 5 1/3 innings of a 6-3 road loss to the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday.

The Astros will counter with Brandon Backe (4-8, 5.00), who lost his third straight game in his last start, allowing five runs in just four innings of a 10-6 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.

Here is a look at tonight’s key online sports wagering trends followed by my analysis and MLB online betting Free Picks.

The Astros are 5-0 in their last 5 games following an off day.

The Astros are 4-0 in their last 4 Tuesday games.

The Orioles are 4-0 in their last 4 during game 1 of a series.

The Orioles are 5-0 in their last 5 Tuesday games.

The Under is 5-0 in Astros last 5 during game 1 of a series.

The Under is 5-0-1 in Olson’s last 6 starts overall.

Analysis: The MLB online sports wagering community has an easy pick on their hands in this contest as Houston’s Brandon Back has been absolutely awful lately and the Baltimore Orioles are playing at home after coming off a disheartening loss. Take the Orioles to win this matchup, though it could be a bit closer than expected if some other Astro besides Lance Berkman actually sows up to play.

MLB Free Picks: Orioles 6 Astros 4

07:05 PM EST MLB Odds

Houston Astros

Brandon Backe - R +1½ -165

Baltimore Orioles

Garret Olson - L -1½ +145

Over 10 -105

Under 10 -115

Interleague

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